https://www.rickbergen.net Help Plant 1,000 Churches Fri, 07 Nov 2025 23:01:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 169531157 https://www.rickbergen.net/?p=2686 https://www.rickbergen.net/?p=2686#respond Sun, 06 Apr 2025 13:29:43 +0000 Rick Bergen https://www.rickbergen.net/?p=2686

On my last trip to Canada, I heard that church planting had fallen out of favor. A Bible school graduate told me, “Even Christian universities discourage it—it’s seen as culture-changing, and that’s considered wrong.”Some assume that because city officials resist zoning for churches, they must be undesirable in modern society. A Surprise from AI Here in Marabá, our neighborhood was considered dangerous. Officials warn visitors not to stay past dusk. A taxi once refused to bring a friend here at night. So when I asked ChatGPT to summarize our area, I expected crime, violence, and economic hardship. Instead, it called our neighborhood privileged. Why? Because of two churches—ours, Igreja da Vinha, and another local congregation. This wasn’t a faith-based query. It was raw data. And yet, the conclusion was clear: churches improve communities. Why This Matters AI aggregates vast amounts of information, often revealing trends we overlook. This result didn’t shock me, though, for two reasons: Academia recognizes it. In my 2015 master’s research on helping marginalized communities, my secular university encouraged me to highlight the role of evangelical churches. The data is undeniable—Christians have historically led efforts to uplift the disadvantaged. Firsthand experience confirms it. After 30 years of cross-cultural work across four continents, I’ve seen missionaries and churches at the forefront of community transformation, helping people build better lives. Maybe it’s time we rethink the narrative. What if churches aren’t a problem—but part of the solution?

We live in Folha 6 and many of our church people come from across the street, in Folha 13. I asked ChatGPT why the data thought that churches were good for communities.

I pressed in further and asked ChatGPT why, if churches were good for communities, some city officials resisted zoning for new ones? The answer varied, but the data was convincing–churches are statistically good for communities.

We are GRATEFUL to be church planters and send heartfelt gratitude to each person who supports this ministry or others with a primary goal of church planting! Churches are, after all, Jesus’ vision, and He is building His church on the rock of the Father’s revelation insight. “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (Mt 16:17–18).

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